I find this a fascinating area for all sorts of goodies - old cars and bikes, antiques, stoves etc. I can understand the investment value possibly being diminished if a product is used - although in the antiques world there is often a benefit of the product having a "patina" - same with some vehicles as well I understand. However, how does someone resist the temptation of not firing up a stove - it just seems a pity for them to remain shelf goddesses, rather than performing their real role in life. I just find it really sad that a lovely piece of kit has never had a chance to fulfil its destiny! (and of course, giving us the opportunity to play with fire )
simple for me - i don't collect anything, so i just like using stoves and lanterns for practical purpose
Must say that I currently buy with the intention of using. I can, however, see the attraction of a study shelf full of polished brass stoves that maybe 'could' be pressed into service - if that makes sense... In saying that I'd like a 199 for no other reason than I must have one I've about 10 fishing rods in the garage which I bought because I wanted them & the price was too good to pass but there's only a couple that haven't graced the banks yet & hopefully their time will come.
For me the difference is wether the stove has patina or is plain ugly. If a stove has been and handeled for umpteen years and looked after it will develop a deep beautifull patina. On the other hand if it has been used as a tool, never cleened and only maintained when broken, it will most often be ugly. Here is a Primus 71 i got recently. 60 years old and still with @50% of the original laquer, but tarnished on the burner because it has been gasoline primed as intented. The til has only surface rust and will buff up, no pitting and the labels are almost intact. For me this is a nobrain keeper:
I my self use all my stoves from time too time not just for display purpose but i do like to clean and polish my stoves after a fettle as to me a nice clean stove with a nice sheen will also look great on display. But i dont keep polishing it as this can do more harm than good thinning the brass and removing any engraving over a period of time just one good polish after a restoration as most stoves the laquer in places becomes worn and there is uneven tarnish in places and they usualy are gruby But as henrik stated if it is a nice old well looked after with a nice patina then i wont But as a safety point i would think far easyier to spot if there is any stress cracks in the tank as it is more highlighted
All my (complete) stoves must work and all but one have been fired. As soon as I get them I fettle them just enough to be able to fire them as that seems the best way to check them over. Then I have to decide on how much I’m going to restore it. With some stoves I’ve gone the whole hog and polished the brass, treated the rust and re-sprayed the tin ware. Some I’ve left unpolished as the patina is so nice while others, those I’ll use on a regular basis (I’ve cooked on five different ones this week alone), just stay scruffy with little more than putting the burner through some heat/quench cycles. The one stove I’ve never fired is one I bought on impulse. It was from a collector and I couldn’t resist it but on close inspection I can detect no indication that it has ever been lit – and I didn’t want to be the first one. I’ll never do this again as the pleasure I gain from stoves is the restoration but I understand the dilemma as hours of work polishing the burner or spraying the tin ware can be ruined in a few seconds so, if you want a showroom model to sit on the shelf, it’s hard to see how it can be used. The solution though is simple: just buy lots of stoves. Cheers, John
All but one of my stoves has been polished to original condition. I liken this to restoring a classic automobile. Who would get them running like new and leave the interior shredded and the exterior paint chipped, cracked and rusted? Brass tends to turn brown with exposure to oxygen and sulfur. The factory that made the stove had to go to the trouble of polishing it to get it to look like they do when they are new. That is how the factory intended them to be. Now, I respect the view that the patina adds character and is a badge of age. I have grey hair and don't cover it up for the same reason. It is a personal choice and there is no right or wrong way to do it. As for using the stove, absolutely. All of my stoves are fully functional and I fire them up occasionally just to admire them. I do carry one or two camping whenever we go out. However, I do not own an un-fired example. If that situation ever arises, I will be in the same boat as you!
I do like to clean up a stove or collectible even if I do use it. I love restoration work and leave any parts still working despite being abused...well perhaps straightening or re-curving corners as much as possible. Using the collectibles does give me delight in seeing it clean and shiny. I still refer to CCS members for advise hence the forum does work and is always a wealth of knowledge and resources since the generosity of members are beyond expectations. I do work on collectibles and users in my down time hence sometimes they still are on the shelf or nook and cranny but eventually I get around to them. As far as unfired stoves, I do have that reservations but then I will not really appreciate its benefits if I do not fire them even once. Stoves despite having the same model or perhaps year of production do differ slightly in some way or the other hence I can compare it with those who own and have posted their own collectible. Thats how I see it. Ron
A stove that is never fired is like a book thats never read. They look great on a shelf, but you know nothing about them. I have had a few classic cars as daily drivers. I would always be asked "What if you break something, get in a wreck, scratch the paint?" My response was that it looks better when on the road then in my garage. Old things have character, so to polish or leave patina will depend on its character. But to never use... you might as well never have it.
go to the library and get a used one then innit the story will be the same and you have preserved something special for the future your missing the point if the stove has been used even just once then polish it use it or play football with it the choice is yours as it's just another used stove probably one of thousands if not millions out there, but why buy a new unfired stove and probably pay top dollar just to ruin it as a collectable by firing it up? it's your choice but i don't understand buying a vintage Nos stove just to wreck it by firing it up
I don't know, Bill. For some people in some places, having a used item makes it MORE valuable. Link That's the way stoves work for me! And, although I like to think the stimulation from stoves is in a different part of my brain, I can't prove it. Cheers, Gary
i need to swear after reading that so $%%^&^&* how on earth did you come across that on second thoughts i don't think i want to know sticky knickers 8-[
Damn if only women found soiled mens uderware that interesting. Then i would be self sufficient Buying undies, wearing them and then sell used. Bonus no washing
One of our kayaking friends is from Japan. She told me. She's an engineer at a prestigious firm here in town. Heads a department. Couldn't get a job in Japan - she's woman. Cheers, Gary
